1.Effects of prostaglandin E2 injection into the median preoptic nucleus on body temperature in female mice and its mechanisms
Ya LI ; Yi’an SONG ; Qiaofeng JI ; Lei XU ; Jie ZHANG ; Jianhui XU ; Xiaoyu HOU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):250-257
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) microinjection into the median preoptic nucleus (MnPO) on core body temperature in female mice, and to clarify its underlying mechanism. MethodsMicroinjection cannula were implanted into the MnPO of female mice using stereotaxic surgery.Subsequently, a multi-channel temperature acquisition system was used to simultaneously monitor rectal and brown adipose tissue (BAT) temperatures before and after intra-MnPO injections of different reagents.To investigate the thermoregulatory effects of the microinjection of PGE2 into the MnPO, 12 female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a saline group (n=6) and a PGE2 group (n=6), which were injected with 0.1 μL saline and PGE2 (2.8 mmol/L), respectively.To determine whether E-series prostaglandin receptor (EP)1, EP3, and EP4 receptors mediate the thermoregulatory effects of PGE2, 15 female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=5 per group).Mice in each group first received an injection of 0.1 μL PGE2 (2.8 mmol/L) into the MnPO. After their body temperature returned to baseline levels, they were subsequently injected with a mixture of either EP1, EP3 or EP4 antagonist (ant) (20 mmol/L) + PGE2 (2.8 mmol/L). ResultsCompared with baseline level, the rectal temperature (P<0.01) and BAT temperature (P<0.001) of female mice both increased significantly after microinjection of PGE2 into the MnPO.Compared with the saline group, the increases in rectal temperature (P<0.001) and BAT temperature (P<0.000 1) were significantly greater in the PGE2 group of mice.Furthermore, following the injection of PGE2 into MnPO, the increase in BAT temperature was found to be significantly greater than that in rectal temperature in mice (P<0.001).Compared to the administration of PGE2 alone, co-injection of an EP3 ant + PGE2 into the MnPO of mice resulted in a significantly smaller increase in both rectal temperature (P<0.001) and BAT temperature (P<0.001).In contrast, the increases in rectal and BAT temperatures following MnPO injection of either EP1 ant + PGE2 or EP4 ant + PGE2 were not statistically significant (P>0.05). ConclusionInjection of PGE2 into the MnPO elevates BAT and core body temperature in female mice via the EP3 receptor.
2.Influencing Factors of Depression in Patients with Postoperative Ovarian Cancer
Jialiang YAO ; Long ZHANG ; Jianhui TIAN ; Ze LIU ; Yun YANG ; Yiyang ZHOU ; Minghua LI ; Wang YAO ; Wenfei SHI ; Xinyi LU ; Pan YU ; Enchao CONG
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2026;53(5):349-359
Objective To explore the prevalence of depressive symptoms in postoperative patients with ovarian cancer and to analyze its influencing factors from multiple dimensions, including clinical characteristics, psychological factors, and laboratory indicators. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted, which enrolled 235 postoperative patients with ovarian cancer. Depressive status was assessed using the patient health questionnaire, and the demographic, pathological, and medical record data of the patients were collected using the generalized anxiety disorder scale, Pittsburgh sleep quality index, European organization for research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire core 30, and ECOG performance status score. Peripheral blood tumor marker (CA125), routine blood test, lymphocyte subsets, and serum cytokine levels were measured. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results The prevalence of depression in postoperative patients with ovarian cancer was 39.15% (92/235). Univariate analysis showed that ECOG score ≥ 2 points, pain, anxiety, poor sleep quality, low quality of life, low life satisfaction, tumor recurrence, six or more cycles of chemotherapy, as well as higher levels of CA125, NLR, and NAR, and lower hemoglobin levels were significantly associated with depression (all P<0.05). Multivariate binary Logistic regression analysis showed that anxiety (OR=1.975, 95%CI: 1.231-3.170), sleep efficiency (OR=4.181, 95%CI: 1.211-14.43), sleep latency (OR=34.806, 95%CI: 4.258-284.542), ECOG performance status score, cognitive function (OR=0.918, 95%CI: 0.868-0.97), and life satisfaction were independent risk factors for depression (all P<0.05). Laboratory indicators were not independent influencing factors in the multivariate Logistic regression model. Conclusion Depression in postoperative patients with ovarian cancer is influenced by physiological, psychological, and social factors. Clinical management should focus on patients with anxiety, sleep disorders, poor physical condition, and low life satisfaction, and a comprehensive prevention and treatment strategy centered on psychological intervention and taking into account symptom management and social support should be implemented.
3.Screening key genes of PANoptosis in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury based on bioinformatics
Lirong ZHU ; Qian GUO ; Jie YANG ; Qiuwen ZHANG ; Guining HE ; Yanqing YU ; Ning WEN ; Jianhui DONG ; Haibin LI ; Xuyong SUN
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(1):106-113
Objective To explore the relationship between PANoptosis and hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI), and to screen the key genes of PANoptosis in HIRI. Methods PANoptosis-related differentially expressed genes (PDG) were obtained through the Gene Expression Omnibus database and GeneCards database. Gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were used to explore the biological pathways related to PDG. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed. Key genes were selected, and their diagnostic value was assessed and validated in the HIRI mice. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed based on the cell-type identification by estimating relative subsets of RNA transcripts. Results A total of 16 PDG were identified. GO analysis showed that PDG were closely related to cellular metabolism. KEGG analysis indicated that PDG were mainly enriched in cellular death pathways such as apoptosis and immune-related signaling pathways such as the tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway. GSEA results showed that key genes were mainly enriched in immune-related signaling pathways such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Two key genes, DFFB and TNFSF10, were identified with high accuracy in diagnosing HIRI, with areas under the curve of 0.964 and 1.000, respectively. Immune infiltration analysis showed that the control group had more infiltration of resting natural killer cells, M2 macrophages, etc., while the HIRI group had more infiltration of M0 macrophages, neutrophils, and naive B cells. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction results showed that compared with the Sham group, the relative expression of DFFB messenger RNA in liver tissue of HIRI group mice increased, and the relative expression of TNFSF10 messenger RNA decreased. Cibersort analysis showed that the infiltration abundance of naive B cells was positively correlated with DFFB expression (r=0.70, P=0.035), and the infiltration abundance of M2 macrophages was positively correlated with TNFSF10 expression (r=0.68, P=0.045). Conclusions PANoptosis-related genes DFFB and TNFSF10 may be potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for HIRI.
4.Genomic analysis for early diagnosis of atypical dyskinetic cerebral palsy
Dianrong SUN ; Guangmei CUI ; Leihong ZHANG ; Jianhui ZHAO ; Rong YU ; Mei HOU
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2025;47(7):624-630
Objective:To determine the genetic causes of dystonic cerebral palsy (DCP) of unknown etiology by using whole exome and mitochondrial gene detection methods, and to analyze clues for early identification of DCP.Methods:This was a retrospective analysis of clinical data describing 21 children with unknown etiology and DCP-like phenotypes. It involved collecting a detailed medical history, biochemical testing, neuroimaging, electroencephalography and hematuria metabolic screening. Peripheral blood was collected from the children, their parents and their siblings. Genomic DNA was extracted, and whole exome and/or mitochondrial gene sequencing was performed to obtain variant sites and annotations. The candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing.Results:No clear perinatal risk factors were found in the 21 cases, though there was 1 case of family history. Laboratory tests found increased lactic acid in 3 and abnormal thyroid function in 2 cases. The neuroimaging showed lesions in the basal ganglia in 2 cases, delayed myelination in 6 cases, sometimes with cortical dysplasia, a wide extracerebral space and/or a thin corpus callosum. The images of 11 of the children were normal. Later follow-up showed changes in the brain magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of 2 of the children. Pathogenic or likely pathogenic candidate variants were identified in 15 of the 21 children (71%) within 12 genes: TH, SLC16 A2, RHOBTB2, FOXG1, IFIH1, WDR45, MT- ATP6, KIAA2022, GNB1, GNAO1, SLC2 A1 or NACC1. Fifteen of the children received a precise diagnosis. Genetic testing found heterozygous variants of ATP1 A2, SPR, ATP1 A3, MED13 L or NR4 A2 genes in the remaining six children, all of which were non-pathogenic variants. Conclusions:The absence of perinatal high-risk factors, a positive family history, and a normal or progressive brain MRI can be used as early clues to identify atypical DCP cases. TH, SLC16 A2, RHOBTB2, FOXG1, IFIH1, WDR45, MTATP6, KIAA2022, GNB1, GNAO1, SLC2 A1 and NACC1 variants belong to the spectrum of DCP-related pathogenic genes, and attention should be paid to the interpretation of genomic analysis results.
5.Expation of the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Nepetoidin B on collagen-induced arthritis in mice
Yaozong SUN ; Tao HE ; Zhuo LIU ; Fang SHUI ; Ruixue TIAN ; Baoqing TANG ; Jianhui ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Rheumatology 2025;29(3):213-218
Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect and potential mechanism of Nepetoidin B on rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods:DBA/1 mice were divided into four groups using the random number method, namely the control group, model group, methotrexate group, and Nepetoidin B group. The collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model was prepared. Mice were treated from day 21th to day 60th. Arthritis symptoms were evaluated every three days during treatment. At the end of treatment, pathological changes of joint tissue were observed through HE staining. Serum IL-17, IL-6, MDA, and NO levels were measured using ELISA and biochemical colorimetric assays. The Nrf2/HO1 pathway in joint tissues was detected using western blot. A group of CIA mice was treated with Nepetoidin B, followed by an Nrf2 inhibitor to validate the mechanism. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare between multiple groups with homogeneity of variance, pairwise comparison using LSD- t test. Results:The study found that mice treated with methotrexate and Nepetoidin B exhibited a significant reduction in arthritis scores(CIA+Meth group 5.2±1.3, CIA+NepB group 6.8±1.2 vs. CIA group 11.0±1.7, t=6.69, P=0.004; t=5.00, P=0.009), and joint histopathology compared to the CIA mice(CIA+Meth group 1.5±1.0, CIA+NepB group 2.2±0.8 vs. CIA group 4.0±0.9, t=4.44, P<0.001; t=3.84, P=0.005). Additionally, there was a significant decrease in serum IL-17[CIA+Meth group(257±69)ng/ml, CIA+NepB group (279±103)ng/ml vs. CIA group(414±71)ng/ml, t=3.86, P=0.006; t=2.63, P=0.020], IL-6[CIA+Meth group(32±6)ng/ml, CIA+NepB group (44±5)ng/ml vs. CIA group(56±11)ng/ml, t=4.69, P<0.001; t=2.48, P=0.040) ,MDA [CIA+Meth group(22±4)μmol/L, CIA+NepB group(22±8)μmol/L vs. CIA group(34±11)μmol/L, t=2.77, P=0.038; t=2.29, P=0.049]and NO[ CIA+Meth group(37±12)μmol/L, CIA+NepB group(37±11)μmol/L vs. CIA group(56±12)μmol/L, t=2.71, P=0.040; t=2.90, P=0.035] levels, and a significant elevation in the Nrf2( 0.263±0.021, 0.273±0.022 vs. 0.221±0.034, t=3.18, P=0.044; t=2.70, P=0.049)/HO1 (0.524±0.021, 0.501±0.014 vs. 0.453±0.033, t=3.95, P=0.006; t=3.41, P=0.032) pathway in methotrexate and Nepetoidin B treated group. It was also observed that Nrf2 inhibitors could counteract the treatment effects of Nepetoidin B on arthritis (1.8±0.8 vs. 3.2±0.8, t=3.07, P=0.024). Conclusion:Nepetoidin B has the ability to inhibit oxidative stress by activating the Nrf2/HO1 pathway, which alleviates collagen-induced arthritis in mice.
6.Exploration on Biological Basis of Tumor and Strategies for Prevention and Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Perspective of Disorders of Physique,Qi and Spirit
Long ZHANG ; Xinyi LU ; Jianhui TIAN ; Pan YU ; Ze LIU ; Yun YANG ; Xi CHENG ; Jialiang YAO
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(8):2058-2064
The life view of physique-qi-spirit trinity is the core theory for explaining the physiological activities of human body and the evolution of disease pathology in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),and will bring about an overview of TCM tumorigenesis.This paper explores the biological basis of tumor from the perspective of disorders of physique,qi and spirit:there is a correlation between qi-physique transformation and energy and substance metabolism,and between spirit-emotion and neuromodulation;the nerve-metabolism pathway contributes to partial biological basis of tumor from the perspective of disorders of physique,qi and spirit.Furthermore,it puts forward the strategies for prevention and treatment with TCM through the simultaneous regulation of physique,qi and spirit:eliminating the mass to inhibit the tumor,and improving physique to preserve life in the view of treating physique;replenishing qi to strengthen the body,and ventilating qi to remove toxins in the view of treating qi;regulating the spirit to treat cancer through comprehensive therapy in the view of treating spirit.The exploration on the biological basis of tumor from the perspective of disorders of physique,qi and spirit will further embody the unique advantages of TCM theories in understanding malignant tumors,and will provide useful references for the model of synergistic prevention and treatment of malignant tumors with TCM.
7.Ferroptosis-Related LncRNAs Signature Predicts the Prognosis of Stomach Adenocarcinoma
Xinyuan XIE ; Xiaochen NIU ; Jianhui SUN ; Yahan ZHANG ; Pengfei CHEN
Journal of Kunming Medical University 2025;46(4):46-56
Objective To establish a prognostic model that predicts the survival and prognosis of gastric adenocarcinoma patients by studying the LncRNAs related to iron death in gastric cancer cells,thereby providing a theoretical basis for the development of their biomarkers and therapeutic targets.Methods The transcript sequencing data of gastric adenocarcinoma patients in the TCGA database were analyzed and intersected with iron death-related genes,which were screened for iron death-related LncRNAs by co-expression and differential analysis methods.One-way and multifactorial Cox regression analyses were used to screen out the prognostic-related LncRNAs in gastric adenocarcinoma patients,so as to establish the prognostic scoring models.On this basis,risk values were calculated for each sample,and the reliability of the model was fully verified.According to the model results,differences in the immune infiltration and immune response between the high-and low-risk groups were analyzed.Results Tumor tissues were screened for 503 LncRNAs(431 up-regulated and 72 down-regulated)associated with iron death compared to the normal tissues;univariate Cox regression analysis yielded 33 LncRNAs that could be used as the independent risk factors,whereas multivariate Cox regression analysis constructed a predictive model consisting of 17 LncRNAs.Survival curves indicated that patients with the high risk had the significantly lower survival rates than those with the low risk(P<0.001).Unifactorial and multifactorial independent prognostic analyses showed that age,stage,and risk value were independent risk factors for patients;Time-dependent ROC curves suggested that the predicted AUC values of the model's 1-,2-,and 3-year survival rates were 0.751,0.799,and 0.779 respectively,proving that the model was reliable and stable.There were significant differences in multiple immune activation responses,the degree of immune cell infiltration,and the expression levels of immune check points between the high-and low-risk groups.Conclusion The established prognostic prediction model based on iron death-related lncRNAs for gastric adenocarcinoma patients can better assess the prognosis of patients,and the lncRNAs included in the model have the feasibility of being developed into biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
8.Exploring the causal relationship between 20 metabolites and ovarian cancer risk based on Mendelian randomization
Shaofei SU ; Enjie ZHANG ; Jianhui LIU ; Yan GAO
Practical Oncology Journal 2025;(3):191-200
Objective Mendelian randomization was used to analyze the causal association between 20 serum metabolites and the risk of ovarian cancer.Methods The gene variations of 20 serum metabolites were obtained from the MRC IEU database as tool variables reflecting exposure levels,while gene variations of ovarian cancer patients were used as instrumental variables reflecting outcome levels.The ovarian cancer dataset ieu-a-1120 included 66,450 European women samples(of which 25,509 were ovarian cancer),and the dataset ieu-a-1228 included 54,990 European women samples(of which 14,049 were ovarian cancer).Two-sample two-way Mendelian randomization analysis was performed on both datasets.This study used inverse variance-weighted(IVW),weigh-ted median method,MR-Egger regression,and combined various analysis methods such as simple mode,and weighted mode.The caus-al effects of 20 metabolites and the risk of ovarian cancer were analyzed.Cochran's Q test was used to perform sensitivity analysis and to verify the reliability of the results.MR Egger intercept test was used to assess the horizontal pleiotropy of tool variables,and use the leave-one-out method to assess whether there were single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)in the results that might have a potential impact on the incidence of ovarian cancer.Finally,the effects of uridine on ovarian cancer cells were verified through cell proliferation and apoptosis experiments.Results The results showed a negative correlation between uridine and the occurrence of ovarian cancer,with statistically significance(ieu-a-1228:P=0.025;ieu-a-1120:P=0.017).MR-Egger regression analysis confirmed the sensitiv-ity and robustness of the analysis results.The CCK8 assay confirmed that uridine inhibited the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner,and uridine at a concentration of 10 mM significantly promoted apoptosis in SKOV3 cells(P<0.001)and A2780 cells(P<0.001).Flow cytometry analysis showed that after treatment for 24 hours,uridine at a concentration of 10 mM had the strongest pro-apoptotic effect on ovarian cancer cells,which was significant in SKOV3 and A2780 cells(P<0.05 and P<0.001,respectively).Conclusion Uridine is negatively correlated with the risk of ovarian cancer,which lays a theoretical founda-tion for further understanding the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer and optimizing clinical treatment strategies.
9.Lutein-naringin combination inhibits APAP liver injury by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress mediated by SPHK1
Huimin LIU ; Yangyang PAN ; Sisi PU ; Jianhui ZHANG ; Qian ZHANG ; Libin WANG ; Liang LI ; Zhiyong ZHANG ; Meng WANG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(10):2273-2281
This study investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms of the luteolin-naringenin combination(LN)on liver injury induced by acetaminophen(APAP).Forty-eight Kunming mice were randomly allocated into six groups:a normal control group,an APAP-induced liver injury model group,a positive drug treatment group,and three LN treatment groups with low,medium,and high doses.After the final drug administration,the mice were fasted for 12 hours prior to eu-thanasia for sample collection.Serum transaminase activity,oxidative stress indices,and hematoxy-lin-eosin(HE)staining were assessed to evaluate the effects of LN on APAP-induced hepatic inju-ry.Additionally,Western blot analysis was conducted to examine the expression levels of sphingo-sine kinase 1(SPHK1)and endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)-related proteins,thereby elucida-ting the potential mechanisms by which LN mitigates APAP-induced liver injury.The results dem-onstrated that varying concentrations of LN effectively ameliorated serum aminotransferase activi-ty and oxidative stress levels induced by APAP in a dose-dependent manner.Histopathological ex-amination via HE staining revealed significant improvement in APAP-induced liver tissue injury following treatment with different concentrations of LN.Furthermore,Western blot analysis indi-cated that the protein expressions of SPHK1,CHOP,p-IRE1α,ATF6,p-PERK,p-eIF2α,and ATF4 were markedly reduced after administration of various concentrations of LN.The results demonstrate that LN exhibits a significant protective effect against APAP-induced liver injury by inhibiting the SPHK1-mediated aberrant expression of ERS-related molecules.This study high-lights the importance of targeting SPHK1 in the treatment of APAP liver injury and provides a no-vel therapeutic approach through the multi-target and multi-pathway combination of monomers.
10.Predicting BRCA-mutated breast cancer based on a combined clinicopathological and multiparametric MRI features model
Xiaohong CHEN ; Zhiqi YANG ; Bowen YUE ; Yi CHEN ; Jianhui LI ; Xinwei ZHONG ; Hao ZHANG ; Xinhong LIANG ; Weixiong FAN ; Xiaofeng CHEN
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(7):1139-1143
Objective To explore the efficacy of a model combining clinicopathological characteristics and multiparametric MRI features for predicting BRCA-mutated breast cancer(BC).Methods A total of 256 BC patients were retrospectively selected and divided into BRCA mutation group(116 cases)and BRCA wild group(140 cases)based on the BRCA results.Chi-square tests or independ-ent sample t-tests were used to compare the differences in clinicopathological characteristics and multiparametric MRI features between the BRCA mutation group and the wild group.Risk factors for BRCA-mutated BC were identified through univariate and multivariate logistic regression ananlyses,and a combined predictive model was constructed.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to ana-lyze the diagnostic efficacy of the model.Results There were statistically significant differences in T stage,human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER-2),Ki-67,non-mass enhancement,enhancement pattern,time-signal intensity curve(TIC)type,and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)values between the BRCA mutation group and the wild group.Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that T stage,HER-2,Ki-67,non-mass enhancement,enhancement pattern,TIC type,and ADC values were risk factors for BRCA-mutated BC(P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that T stage,HER-2,Ki-67,enhancement pattern,and TIC type were independent risk factors for BRCA-mutated BC(P<0.05).The combined model incorporating T stage,HER-2,Ki-67,enhancement pattern,and TIC type had the best diagnostic efficacy in predicting BRCA-mutated BC,with an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.751.Conclusion The combined model integrating T stage,HER-2,Ki-67,enhancement pattern,and TIC type has good efficacy in predicting BRCA-mutated BC.

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